Cubs look to hand Padres another series loss

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Alfonso Soriano will attempt to continue his
torrid hitting stretch on Thursday as the Chicago Cubs conclude
their four-game series with the San Diego Padres.

Soriano, who has led off the game with a home run in
back-to-back contests, homered for the third straight game in
Wednesday's 8-5 win over San Diego - a team in danger of losing
nine of its last 10 series.

During the Cubs' eight-game homestand, in which the team is
currently 4-1, Soriano is hitting .478 (11-for-23) after hitting
just .214 in his first seven games following his return from
the disabled list (strained calf).

"Alfonso is a bit streaky," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said.
"One thing is when he gets hot, he stays hot for a good period
of time. He's been swinging the bat more consistently and
starting to add power to the equation."

Facing the hot-handed Soriano will be veteran Greg Maddux (3-3,
3.60 ERA), who spent nearly 10 years of his career with the Cubs
over two different stints.

The righthander became just the ninth pitcher in major league
history to reach the 350-win mark, permitting a single unearned
run and three hits over six frames in a 3-2 win over Colorado on
Sunday.

He will be opposed by Ryan Dempster (4-1, 2.76), who has yet to
win in May after collecting four wins in six starts in April.
Despite striking out seven batters in consecutive starts, the
righthander will be seeking his first win in three outings on
Thursday.

Dempster did not factor into Sunday's 7-2 win vs. Arizona,
though he only allowed two runs and three hits over six innings.